UniAbuja strike: ASUU working against interest of students, says NANS

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) says the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is working against the interest of students by resorting to strikes as a dispute resolution mechanism.

A faction of the ASUU branch at the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) declared an indefinite strike over a lingering disagreement with the management of the institution.

The dispute borders on ASUU’s interest in a multi-stakeholder microfinance bank, promotion procedures in the absence of a governing council, ongoing election for faculty deanship, and alleged illegal appointments.

Sylvanus Ugoh, chairman of UniAbuja ASUU, had accused the management of conducting recruitment without due process.

He said “illegal promotions” should be suspended and the 2022/2023 promotions reviewed by the governing council when reconstituted.

Lucky Emonefe, NANS president, described the strike by UniAbuja ASUU as frivolous.

He said it is disappointing that ASUU’s national leadership approved the strike when other options were on the table.

“It is extremely saddening and annoying that ASUU always ignores the interests and plight of Nigerian students and parents before opting for their often needless trade actions,” he said.

“Consider that between 2020 and 2023, the Nigerian university system has lost over 16 months to ASUU strikes.

“This is the height of insensitivity and irresponsibility. However, we are happy to note that a large section of the UniAbuja lecturers have rejected and dissociated themselves from the strike action.”

Emonefe called on the federal government and the UniAbuja management to end the strike.

“The lack of sensitivity and regard for students, parents, and the education system is unacceptable and unbecoming of an otherwise union of intellectuals who should have known better,” he added.